One week down but so much Moscow to go

What a day. What a week. What an enormous amount of time I have yet to go.

Much excitement in the air. Also lots of rain.

Somehow I still have the energy to write so I will explain the madness that was my day.

Today is Sunday. Today marks the first week I've been here in Moscow. Great day.
I woke up to a thunderstorm this morning because I slept with the windows open (a necessity during the summer here in Russia) and it was so relaxing. I could feel it washing away not only the dirt and grime on my windowsill but also, figuratively, my frustrations and struggles I've been experiencing.

I was supposed to meet up with my tutor, Nastya, the cutest Russian girl ever. In heels (I wore boots today) I  think I was a good foot and a half taller than her. She's precious. We had decided to meet at the Belarusski Vokzal (metro station) so I set off with a borrowed umbrella and high hopes. Upon making my way to the train station alone--something I'd never done before-- I realized just how clueless I was about how to get anywhere. Thankfully I was able to cut through back roads and use my slightly functional sense of direction to get me to the metro. Phase 1; complete.

Once I got there, my tutor called and we began the ever-difficult process of trying to explain where we were and where I needed to go to find her, in two very different languages. After someone came up to me and borrowed my phone, I finally found her (She totally found me). From there, we took the metro and went to this great art museum with some of the most notable Russian artists. So cool.

After that we got back on the metro, where I preceded to go home and once again get myself lost in this great city. I was looking for a certain exit, got approached by some sketchy guys, said "I don't know" in Russian because I really had no idea what they said and went into the first entrance I saw at the metro station. Unfortunately for me, doors here are not two-way, and once I went inside, I couldn't find the exit. Oh crap. As I tried to not look completely lost, I  followed a couple people through an entrance and had to go through a metal detector and talk with the полиция (police) who was actually very much on the nice side. After he started talking to me I had to explain that I didn't understand him or speak Russian very well and then asked for directions--my professors would be so proud-- to the street I lived on.

Long story short, I survived. Maybe this Moscow thing will work out after all.. I'll keep you posted. Until then , here are my latest photos from our Kremlin tour and visit to Gorki Park. Night!